Dennis Rodman

Lore & Background

Rodman experienced an unhappy childhood and was often described as shy and introverted in his early years. After contemplating suicide in 1993, he reinvented himself as a 'bad boy' and became notorious for numerous controversial antics. He repeatedly dyed his hair in artificial colors, had many piercings and tattoos, and regularly disrupted games by clashing with opposing players and officials. He famously wore a wedding dress to promote his 1996 autobiography Bad as I Wanna Be. Rodman also attracted international attention for his visits to North Korea and his subsequent befriending of the North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un in 2013.

Reader's Guide

Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as the third pick in the second round (27th overall) of the 1986 NBA draft, joining the rugged team of coach Chuck Daly that was called 'Bad Boys' for their hard-nosed approach to basketball. He fit well into this ensemble, providing 6.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and some tough defense in 15.0 minutes of playing time per game in his rookie season. He earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors seven times and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award twice. He also led the NBA in rebounds per game for a record seven consecutive years and won five NBA championships. On April 1, 2011, the Pistons retired Rodman's No. 10 jersey, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later that year. In October 2021, Rodman was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all-time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Did You Know?

• The winner of the Celebrity Championship Wrestling tournament was Danny Bonaduce.
• The $222,000 main prize of the 2004 edition of Celebrity Mole was won by Corbin Bernsen.

A Turbulent Origin and Personal Reinvention

Rodman was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to Shirley and Philander Rodman, Jr., an Air Force member who fought in the Vietnam War. His father left the family and settled in the Philippines; Rodman did not meet him again until 2012. He grew up in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas with his mother and two sisters, Debra and Kim. Described as shy and introverted early on, he felt overwhelmed by his all-female household where his sisters were considered more talented. As a high school freshman measuring 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m), he was cut from basketball and football teams. After working as an overnight janitor at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, he experienced a growth spurt to 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m). In 1993, after contemplating suicide, he reinvented himself as a 'bad boy.' He became notorious for dyeing his hair artificial colors, having many piercings and tattoos, and disrupting games by clashing with players and officials. He famously wore a wedding dress to promote his 1996 autobiography Bad as I Wanna Be.

Global Controversy and Unconventional Diplomacy

Rodman attracted international attention for visits to North Korea and befriending supreme leader Kim Jong Un in 2013. Outside basketball, he appeared in professional wrestling as a member of the nWo, fighting alongside Hulk Hogan in the main event of two Bash at the Beach pay-per-views. He was the first-ever winner of the Celebrity Championship Wrestling tournament. His entertainment career included starring roles in Double Team (1997) and Simon Sez (1999), his own TV show The Rodman World Tour, and appearances in reality series.

Academic Struggles to Collegiate Stardom

After high school, Rodman attended Cooke County College (now North Central Texas College) for one semester, averaging 17.6 points and 13.3 rebounds before flunking out due to poor academic performance. He then transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University, an NAIA school. There, he was a three-time NAIA All-American and led the NAIA in rebounding twice (1985, 1986). In 1986, he led his team to the NAIA semifinals, scoring 46 points and grabbing a tournament-tying record 32 rebounds in one game. This performance helped the team finish No. 3 in the nation. He was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where he won Most Valuable Player honors and caught the attention of the Detroit Pistons.